Another happy return: Zimmerman back on the field for K-State

In a situation nearly identical to last season, All-America free safety Ty Zimmerman has recovered from a leg injury suffered in the 10th game of the year and will suit up for the Wildcats' bowl game.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Ty Zimmerman felt like he was reprising the Bill Murray role in the movie “Groundhog Day.” This wasn’t a comedy story, but a painful feeling of déjà vu.

Zimmerman, Kansas State’s senior free safety, suffered a leg injury against TCU on Nov. 16 and missed the final two regular-season games. It was almost a year to the date — Nov. 10, 2012 — that he suffered a similar injury to his other leg, also against TCU, and sat out two games.

But, like last year, Zimmerman has recovered and will play Saturday when K-State faces Michigan in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl.

“It’s crazy, the parallels: Tenth game of the season, same opponent, same type of way I got injured last year,” Zimmerman said Thursday. “I knew right away what happened. Against TCU, it was the same injury, just the opposite leg.

“When it happened it was the first or second drive of the game and I knew right away it was the same injury. I was in tears in the training room. I was alone and the game was on and I was finally able to go back out there the second half and try to assist my teammates and be a vocal leader.”

Zimmerman, in accordance with K-State policy, wouldn’t divulge the specific injury, but it is believed to be a fractured fibula. Having gone through the healing process a year ago let him know what to expect this time.

“I knew where to push myself, where to lay off and I’ve been able to get back little quicker than last year,” he said.

The physical pain was easier to deal with than the emotional damage of not knowing if his career as a Wildcat was over.

“Last year when it happened I knew I had another year left, but this year nothing was guaranteed and I wasn’t sure if I could get back for the bowl game or not,” he said. “It was tough seeing all my teammates out there flying around and having fun and I was stuck on the sideline in a boot.”

Zimmerman’s drive to return for this final game is an emotional inspiration to his teammates, as well as a benefit on the field.

“It’s huge,” defensive end Ryan Mueller said. “That’s my leader, that’s my captain. From my standpoint, I feel more comfortable having Ty there because he’s been our safety for so long. Dylan Schellenberg did a tremendous job coming in when Ty was down, but it’s hard to replace an All-American.”

WILL THE STARS ALLIGN? — One key matchup in the game could be Mueller against Michigan left tackle Taylor Lewan.

Mueller is the Big 12 defensive lineman of the year with 11.5 sacks while Lewan is a second-team All-American.

“He’s a great player,” Lewan said of Mueller. “He works hard. That’s his best quality. He consistently works till the whistle. You can’t say enough good things about him because he doesn’t do a lot of things wrong.

“If I get the opportunity to go up against him a bunch, I’d love that. I’m sure he’ll have a good game, but my job is to make sure he doesn’t have a good game.”

Just how often they go head-to-head isn’t certain since Mueller moves across the defensive front.

“I’ve been rotated everywhere,” Mueller said. “Left, right, nose guard, end … I play all over line. I’m comfortable doing that and hopefully I can make some plays for our defense.”

GOING FOR A GRAND — K-State running back John Hubert has rushed for 968 yards this season, and while disappointed at coming up a few yards shy of reaching the 1,000-yard barrier the previous two years, he won’t be doing a countdown Saturday.

“I won’t keep track of it,” said Hubert, a senior who rushed for 947 yards last year and 970 in 2011. “If I can’t get 32 yards, something is wrong.

“I’m looking forward to this game and going over 1,000 yards this game. I can’t wait till Saturday, just to come out and show great leadership and try to have one of the best games I ever played.”